Skype with Loved Ones at Baldwin Library Feb 14th 7pm

To register for an event  call 248-554-4650.To register on line or to see all upcoming and many recurring monthly events (like book clubs or story time) in a calendar display click on

Baldwin Library Events

Events requiring registration are underlined. All provide detailed information with mouse clicks. If registration is required a form will appear. As a resident of the City of Bloomfield and a Baldwin partner community        (along with Beverly Hills and Bingham Farms) you will be given first preference for all events.

Main entrance is on Merill Street  which runs parallel to Martin Street. To the right of library and across Bates  is Shain Park Upper left hand structure is Chester Street Garage with free parking for two hours.   Estimated Distance from Chester Street Garage to Baldwin Library is one tenth of a mile or a two minute walk.  Top of picture is Maple Rd (15Mile).

Andover Head Coach Jim Dewald named Head Coach Seaholm

School consolidation did not provide job security. The head coaching position at the New Bloomfield High School would not be made until November 2012. It would be a choice between Dewald who did amazing things with a minimum number of player’s and Lahser Coach Dan Loria who had taken twice the Knights to the State play-offs and is expected to have another contender this fall.

Bloomfield Hills Andover Head Football Coach Jim Dewald has accepted the head coaching position at Birmingham Seaholm High School for the 2012 season. In three seasons at Andover Dewald teams posted a very misleading 3 and 24 record. When asked about the hiring process, Seaholm Athletic Director Arron Frank said, “We flipped through the phone book and found Coach Dewalt on top of page 38.” Seriously...Frank detailed a through process involving numerous committees and in depth research. Many involved in the selection process had direct experience with Coach Dewald. Frank said “Wins and losses were nor as important than the character of the Individual. Jim was an outstanding Coach, teacher and Leader at Pontiac Northern and Andover. Andover was difficult situation with the schools combining.”

Declining enrollment meant that the Andover Barons struggled to man a 24 player roster. In 2011the team was winless but scored dramatic foruth quartercomebacks against state play off teams like Lahser and North Farmington which kept the outcome in doubt until the final gun. In October Andover Football faced a Near Death Experience School Superintendent Robert Glass said the 2012 Varsity football team might canceled due a lack of players. A district wide effort which produced 30 possible players granted a December reprieve.

Dewald is expected to start calculating X’s and O’s for Seaholm almost immediately. The first game is tentatively schedule for August 23rd.

“ Most people in the community have no idea how much is involved.” Frank said. When asked about compensation for the Head Coach, Frank said, “I’ll tell you exactly. It is a matter of public record. $6699 and that probably won’t even pay for the gas.”

February New Book and DVD Titles at Baldwin Library.

The Fear Index by Robert Harris: A visionary scientist creates a revolutionary form of artificial intelligence that predicts movements in the financial markets with uncanny accuracy. His hedge fund, based in Geneva, makes billions. But after an intruder breaks into his home, he has to try to discover who is trying to destroy him.

Click here to Check Status at Library  

Home Front by Kristin Hannah:  From a distance, Michael and Joleen Zarkades seem to have it all: a solid marriage, two exciting careers, and children they adore. But after twelve years together, the couple has lost their way; they are unhappy and edging toward divorce. Then the Iraq war starts. An unexpected deployment will tear their already fragile family apart, sending one of them deep into harm's way and leaving the other at home, waiting for news. When the worst happens, each must face their darkest fear and fight for the future of their family. Click here to Check Status at Library

The Big Year (DVD): Looking to shake up their routine lives, three amateur bird watchers compete to become the ultimate 'birder' by spotting the greatest number of species within a single calendar year. But the friendly rivalry soon turns into a hilariously complicated cross-country adventure as each man begins to realize that the quest for success comes at a price, and that's not chicken feed! Click Here to Check Status at Library
The library DVD status check for this DVD  works a little differently  than other titles..
The first screen produced by clicking on our red link tells you that the the title is not available here because format. Click on "OK" in the middle of the screen. You will then see the availability status of the DVD title.

The Double (DVD): When a United States Senator is brutally murdered, the evidence points to a Soviet assassin code-named Cassius, who was long-thought to be dead. Two men who know Cassius best are thrown together to catch him. Paul Shepherdson is a retired CIA operative who spent his career tracking Cassius around the globe. Ben Geary is a hotshot young FBI Agent and family man who has studied the killer's every move. Ben thinks he knows Cassius, but Paul knows he is dead wrong.
Click Here to Check Library Status

Contagion (DVD): A thriller centered on the threat posed by a deadly disease and an international team of doctors contracted by the CDC to deal with the outbreak. (No cover picture available).
Click here to Check Library Status

If a  book or video you seek is not currently available Baldwin Card Holders may place a hold on line with their library card number.

Work Session to reveal Satisfaction Survey, Ethics Policy, and Sticky Points of Contract Negotiations ?

EVENT CALENDAR

City Commission - Work Session
Tue., Feb. 7, 2012 from 5:00pm - 7:30pm @ Commission Room - City Hall
The Commission will discuss:
1. Proposed Citizen's Satisfaction Survey and survey document.
2. Proposed Ethics Policy.
3. Possible Health Insurance Options.

The City of Bloomfield Hills Commission has scheduled a “work session” for Tuesday May February 7th at 5 pm. Don’t let the name “work session” fool you. According to City Clerk Amy Burton here is no difference between a work session and a special meeting. Minutes of both are recorded as part of the permanent record. Items can be voted on at special meetings / work sessions, under the Open Meetings Act. The public is welcome to attend and attendance is well advised . In addition to publishing notice of the meeting on the City’s web site a mini agenda (an unusual but welcome additional) is provided as well. The topics listed are important and have generated public interest in the past.

The expenditures for a  $9500 Citizen’s satisfaction survey was approved at a December 6th 2011 5PM Special Meeting. This will be the public’s first chance to see to see the document, the format utilized, and the questions asked. The Jan 10th City Commission meeting in regards to agenda item 8 “The commission will discuss the topics / issues to be addressed in the
citizen’s satisfaction survey,” it was decided that Commissioner Sarah McClure and City Manager Jay Cravens would discuss the topics and issues in a conference call with the survey company Cobalt Communications. Next Tuesday’s meeting will the first opportunity residents have had to learn what those topics and issues are.

The Proposed Ethics Policy was presented at Jan 10th City Commission Meeting as agenda item 11. The commission will discuss the development of an ethics policy. After a brief discussion a committee consisting of Commissioner McClure, City Manger Jay Cravens, and City Clerk Amy Burton was appointed as a committee to research and discuss the matter further. Next Tuesday’s meeting will be the first opportunity residents have had to learn what the the committee has been discussing. Many residents have expressed an interest in this topic but have been invited  to the sub committee meetings. Permitting public attendance at the meetings is not mandatory under the Michigan Open meetings Act because one city commissioner is insufficient to form a quorum.

The third topic, Possible Health Insurance Options sounds rather innocuous doesn’t it ? It may relate to agenda item 15 presented at the Jan 10th meeting, “The Commission will move closed session to discuss union negotiations with the City Labor Attorney. City Manager Jay Cravens in
reference to June expiration dates of Department of Public Service (Police and Fire) and Department of Public Works Unions was quoted as saying, “we will be looking at health insurance as soon as possible.”

May 8th is the date of the City Election voters will chose between two incumbent city commissioners and possibly four challengers. A change of two commissioners a way from a generally acknowledged 4 to 1 majority could create a new 3 to 2 majority taking the City in a new direction.

The City’s most experienced officers, current Mayor Michael Zambricki, and commissioners Michael McCready and Pat Hardy whose terms expire in 2013 will continue. Any of them or the two commissioners elected in May could be the next Mayor who serves a one year term. While the Mayor
has no more powers than that any other City Commissioner, the Mayor elected by the City Commission after the City Election , will be the titular head of City’s negotiating team. Residents are well advised to ask this year’s crop of commission candidates who, if elected will they vote for Mayor. Prior to last year residents had no such opportunity as the position of Mayor was simply rotated among  commission members based on seniority.